Positive opening and closing door and operating member for mine skips and the like

ABSTRACT

This invention consists of a vertically sliding door in a skip which is engaged by a vertically moving carriage when it is in the discharge position. This carriage moves upwardly together with the door and after a predetermined time, the carriage then moves down with the door and it disengages from the door when the door reaches the closed position.

United States Patent 3.439.818 4/1969 ONeil 294/106 3,484,008 12/1969 Leonard et a1 214/740 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,070,802 12/1959 Germany 214/740 1,212,262 3/1966 Germany... 214/740 731,941 6/1955 Great Britain.... 214/740 831,702 3/1960 Great Britain 214/740 Primary ExaminerGera1d M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Raymond B. Johnson Attorney-Kent 8L Ade ABSTRACT: This invention consists of a vertically sliding door in a skip which is engaged by a vertically moving carriage when it is in the discharge position. This carriage moves upwardly together with the door and after a predetermined time, the carriage then moves down with the door and it disengages from the door when the door reaches the closed position.

PATENTEBJAN 4:912 3,632,002

SHEET 1 BF 6 INVENTORS M/MATTORNEY PATENTEDJAN 4m 3,532,002

SHEET 2 OF 6 M cEe/w/v Kern/Aw C #17241: fur/501v ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN M972 SHEET t [1F 6 ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 41972 SHEET S UF 6 INVENTORS Quip/Ya $724094 Claim: fan 5 &% f ATTORNEY POSITIVE OPENING AND CLOSING DOOR AND OPERATING MEMBER FOR MINE SKIPS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in positive opening and closing slide door and operating mechanisms for mine skips and the like.

It relates specifically to an improved door and door operating mechanism in which the mechanical means of opening the skip is mounted in the mine head frame in place of all or partly on the skip as is conventional.

This arrangement allows the skips to have perfectly straight and vertical sides and back with no indentations or a reduction in width to allow clearance for mechanism as is the general case for such gates, thus allowing freer flow of material when the mine skip is discharging.

An adaptation of the present system has a further advantage in that the skip at the bottom of the shaft of balanced skips is loading at the same time that the upper skip is discharging.

A further object of the invention and advantage flowing therefrom resides in the fact that the usual creep in the skip operating cycle is no longer required, thus allowing a decrease in the entering and leaving time of the skips at the loading and discharging stations.

Control of the cycle being the dumping end of the cycle, with this arrangement, the skip hood or loading opening can be made deeper than normal allowing for greater rope growth before recapping is necessary, thus reducing servicing time.

A further object is the fact that spillage is reduced below the point where it needs to be considered, and the fact that the dump chute hood is very much shorter than that required for normal gates, materially reduces the dust, and allows complete control of this, if required. Both of these features are the result of the facts that the skip comes to a complete stop within very small limits before the gate opens and that a spill chute may be used which completely covers the sides and bottom of the skip door opening.

A further object is the provision of means which, in the event that the skip runs through" the discharge area, to withdraw the door lifting arms so that no harm can come to the carriage.

Another object of the invention resides in the fact that if the carriage should be left standing at the up" or door open position, and the skip is lowered from above onto the outstanding arm, it merely pushes the carriage down until the arm is retracted at which point it would pass it by.

With the foregoing considerations in view, and such other objects, purposes or advantages as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept which embraces or includes the method, process, construction, arrangement of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, as herein particularly exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the carriage and supporting framework.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of a skip with the novel door incorporated therein.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the door per se.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the carriage per se.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of the operating mechanism of the carriage per se.

FIG. 7 is a section along the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a section along the line 99 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of an alternative carriage.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partially schematic operating diagram of the device shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, it will be appreciated that although a fragmentary portion of the mine skip is shown, this skip is raised and lowered in the conventional manner, consequently details have not been shown.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation of a conventional skip which includes sides 10 and front wall 11.

A skip door, collectively designated 12, runs vertically on slides 13, which opens and closes the skip so that contents thereof can be discharged by gravity in the usual way. Blocks 14 are mounted on the upper edge 15 of the door and engage upper and lower shock absorbers 16 and 16' in order to reduce any jarring effect of the door opening or closing.

These are particularly necessary at the bottom where the load of the cylinders piston and rod and weight of the gate are added to the force of the fluid on the cylinder piston and, moving in this direction, the effective piston area is also greater.

Adjacent the unloading position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) we have supplied supporting framework 17 which includes spaced and parallel vertical members 18. Each of these members is provided with spaced and parallel rails 19 between which a carriage collectively designated 20 is adapted to reciprocate vertically.

There are two embodiments of the carriage, namely a completely mechanical device to be described next, and an air-operated device described later.

This carriage shown in detail in FIG. 5, includes spaced and parallel side members 21 and cross members 22 thus presenting a substantially rectangular frame. Wheels 23 are joumaled for rotation and adjacent the comers of this frame and are adapted to run between the pairs of rails 19.

A fluid operated cylinder and piston assembly collectively designated 24 extends from the upper side 25 of the supporting framework 17 downwardly towards the carriage, piston rod 26 being connected to the carriage on the upper side 27 thereof and centrally between the side frame members 21.

It will therefore be appreciated that operation of the piston and cylinder assembly 24 will raise and lower the carriage within the limits designed by the stroke of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Lying parallel to the rails 19 and inboard thereof, a pair of cam tracks 28 and 28, there being one secured to each of the vertical supporting members 18. These cam tracks are planar along the length thereof with the exception of cam profiles 29 and 29' situated adjacent the lower ends of the cam tracks 28 and override cam profile 30 on one of the cam tracks, namely track 28.

Extending between the side members 21 of the carriage and adjacent the upper side 22 thereof, is a supporting shaft 31 and extending between one side member 21 and a supporting bracket 32, adjacent the lower side 33 of the carriage, is a further supporting shaft 34.

Reference to FIG. 6 will show the operating mechanism of the first type of carriage.

A cam follower wheel 35 engages cam track 28 and this wheel is joumaled upon pin 36 mounted upon the end arm 37. Arm 37 is secured to sleeve 38 mounted on shaft 31. A further crank arm 39 extends from sleeve 38 and is pivotally connected to a connecting rod 40 by the upper end 41 of this rod. The lower end 42 of the rod is pivotally connected to the upper end of a further arm 43 parallel to arm 39 which in turn is secured to a sleeve 44 mounted upon shaft 34. Also secured to sleeve 44 is the lifting arm 45 which extends upwardly as clearly shown, from adjacent the lower side 43 of the carriage towards the center thereof. A tension spring 46 is secured to lug 47 extending from sleeve 44 and a rod 48 extends from the other end of spring 46 to an anchoring or support plate 49 secured to the carriage.

It will therefore be seen that the tension spring 46 normally maintains the cam follower 35 in contact with the cam track 28. In other words, it is rotating the arm 37 in the direction of arrow 50 and the upper end 51 of the lifting arm 45, in the direction of arrow 52. However, when the carriage is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the cam follower roller 35 is engaged by the cam profile 29 thus maintaining the lifting arm 45 into retracted position shown in FIG. 6 against pressure of spring 46.

A further camfollower wheel 53 is joumaled upon pin 52in one end of a crank arm 54. This crank arm is connected to a sleeve 55 which engages over shaft 3] as clearly shown in FIG. 6. A closing arm 56 is secured to sleeve 55 and extends downwardly from adjacent the upper side 22 of the carriage towards the center thereof. Tension spring 57 extends from the lug 58 to rod 59 which in turn is secured to a supporting bracket 60 on the carriage and normally engages the cam wheel 53 with the track 28, it being observed that the spring 57 is trying to move the cam follower wheel in the direction of arrow 61 or opposite to the direction shown by arrow 50.

It should also be observed that the cam profiles 29 and 29' are opposite to cam tracks as shown in FIG. 1.

The closing arm 56 is provided with a single U-shaped engager 62 on the distal end thereof and the lifting or opening arm 45 is provided with a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers 63 upon the distal end thereof. The single engager 62 nests between the double engagers 63 when the engagers are in the position shown in FIG. 6.

Referring back to the door 12, we have provided a plurality of spaced and parallel transversely situated pins 64 forming part of a length of chain 65 and being mounted upon the face of the door by means of plates 66 which in turn are secured to pins 67. These pins ride within slotted plates 68 and are connected to extendable rubber cushions 69 which act as shock absorbers. In the claims, these are referred to as a plurality of spaced and parallel carriage engaging components operatively connected together.

In operation, when the skip arrives at the unloading position, and actuates an electrical switch (not shown) which energizes a solenoid valve (not illustrated) which in turn lets fluid to the lower side of the cylinder 24 through conduit 70, a source of fluid supply (not illustrated). This causes piston rod 26 to move upwardly taking with it carriage running within the track 19.

As soon as the carriage 20 moves upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1, the cam follower wheels 35 and 53 move from their respective cam profiles 29 and 29' onto the cam tracks 28 and 28'. This permits springs 46 and 57 to take over and cause the lifting arm 45 to move outwardly in the direction of arrow 52 and also causes the closing arm 56 to move outwardly in the direction of arrow 71.

The U-shaped ends 62 and 63, referred to engagers, are now able to engage over one of the transversely situated pins 64 on the door 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Further upward movement of the carriage now takes the door upwardly at the same time thus permitting the contents of the skip to be dumped by gravity.

As soon as the door reaches the fully opened position with the upper shock absorbers. 14 in engagement with the members 16, a timing switch (not illustrated) may be operated thus giving sufficient time for the contents of the skip to be exhausted when this time switch operates, the source of fluid pressure is reserved and enters the cylinder 24' at the upper side thereof via conduit 70 thus moving the piston rod downwardly together with the carriage 20 and, due to the engagement of engager 62, the door of the skip is closed. When the skip door is in the closed position, the carriage is in the position shown in FIG. 1 and it will be noted that the cam wheels 35 and 53 either engage the cam profiles 29 or 29' thus rotating the arms 45 and 56 in the directions opposite to arrows 52 and 71 respectively so that the arms disengage from the transverse pins 64 and take up the position shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to the engagement of the arms with the transverse pins, the mounting of the pin assembly on the rubber cushion 69 facilitates the engagement of the engagers around one of these pins by giving a certain amount of limited movement to the pins. Also by providing the plurality of transversely situated pins, the skip does not have to stop in the exact unloading position, but can vary by a predetermined number of inches above and below the median point and still have the door engaged by the engagers prior to opening thereof.

Also to be noted, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 8 are short lengths of chain 71 adjustably extending between the arms 45 and 56 and the carriage. These permit the arms to be controlled in the degree of extension or pivotting in order to allow for variations in the distance between the carriage track and the face of the skip without major adjustments having to be made to the installation.

In the event that the skip runs through the discharge area, the aforementioned upper cam 30 on track 28 is provided. This cam withdraws the closing arm 56 prior to the skip reaching same thus preventing this arm from engaging with the transverse pins on the skip door so that no harm can come to the carriage.

The roller 35 engages the lower cam 29' only and roller 53 is capable of engaging both the upper cam 30 and the lower cam 29.

Alternatively, if the carriage is left standing at the up" or open position, and the skip is lowered from above to the outstanding arm 45, it merely engages this arm and pushes the carriage down till the relevant cam follower wheel 35 reaches the cam profile 29 at which time the arm is retracted so that the skip can pass by.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the air-operated carriage mentioned previously.

Where applicable, similar structure has been given similar reference characters with the exception that the letter A has been inserted thereafter.

This consists of a substantially rectangular carriage 20A having rollers 23A engaging tracks I9A.

A lowering arm 56A is provided similar in construction as hereinbefore described with the exception that it is mounted for pivotal movement upon a pin 72 supported within brackets 73 adjacent the upper frame member of the carriage 20A.

A lifting or opening arm 45A is also provided, also mounted upon a pin 74 held within brackets 75 adjacent the lower member of the frame 20A. The engagement of these lowering and lifting arms is similar to the embodiment hereinbefore described, only the actuation being different.

The actuation of the present embodiment consists of an air cylinder and piston assembly 76 for the lowering arm and an air cylinder and piston assembly 77 for the lifting or opening arm. These are mounted within the frame and are pivotally connected to the arms intermediate the ends thereof by means of pins 78 and 79 respectively as shown in FIG. 1 1.

Air lines are generally designated 80 extend from the piston and cylinder assemblies to solenoid valve actuators.

FIG. 12 shows the operating diagram with the carriage 20A in the lowermost position (that is door closed position).

In this position the carriage has energized a proximity switch 81 which has in turn energized a four-way double sole noid switch 82 in such a manner that the lifting and lowering arms are retracted by the air cylinders 77 and 76 respectively.

When the skip rises into position, the main cylinder 24 lifts the carriage 20A which passes a second proximity switch 83 which so energizes the solenoid valve 82 that air is emitted to the outer ends of both cylinders 76 and 77 thus causing the pistons to move outwardly thrusting the lifting and lowering arms into contact with the door lifting pins 64. This means that continuing upward movement of the carriage causes the door to open.

At the maximum door opening position, a switch (not illustrated) energizes a timing device as hereinbefore described. This timing device, at the end of the timing period, reverses the airflow in the cylinder 24A thus causing the carriage to descend and to close the skip door.

As the skip door closes, the carriage passes to the bottom proximity switch 81 which energizes the solenoid valve 82 so that air is admitted to the inner end of the arm cylinders, causing the arms to retract and therefore free downward passage of the skip.

A third switch 84 is provided at the top located just above the normal slope of the carriage for full door opening anywhere within the normal tolerance.

Should the skip overrun or run through the station, the carriage will be raised above its normal position (and in this regard extra length is provided in the main cylinder for this purpose) and will pass this third switch which will so energize the solenoid valve that air is admitted to the inner ends of the arm operating cylinders, causing them to withdraw and remain clean of the gate.

Should the skip stay in the past-dumping point position beyond the time that the timing switch allows for dumping, the main cylinder will move the carriage down again, but the lowering and lifting arms will stay in the retracted position thus allowing free passage of the skip.

In the meantime, unless something is not operating properly, the skip door will have closed by gravity although it may not be tightly closed and the normal entry into the dumping area would be required to reset the door.

Note should be made of the safety springs 85 extending between the lifting or opening arm 45A and the frame. These are to make quite sure that the lower arms will retract in the event of a failure in the air piston and cylinder system or of an abnormally low air or hydraulic pressure.

Adjustment of the arm position on this type of carriage would be made by means of shims placed between the air cylinder support brackets and carriage frame member on which they are mounted rather than by means of chains 71.

The advantages of this particular type of carriage include a smoother operation, much simplified mechanism, and the fact that quick replacement of all parts is easy due to greater accessibility.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is described herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, but that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What we claim as the present invention is:

l. A skip with a door, said skip being vertically movable between loading and unloading positions; means located adjacent an unloading position for opening and closing said door of said skip, said means comprising a supporting framework, vertically disposed carriage guide means and cam track means mounted on said supporting framework; a carriage comprising a substantially vertical rectangular frame, means mounting said carriage for vertical reciprocal movement on said carn'age guide means in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said skip, means on said carriage selectively engageable and disengageable with said skip door when said skip is stationary and located at an unloading position to open and close said skip door, said last-named means including a springbiased door lifting arm, means pivotally mounting one end of said door-lifting ann adjacent the lower side of the carriage frame so that said door lifting arm extends upwardly toward the center of said carriage frame, a spring-biased door closing arm, means pivotally mounting one end of said door closing arm adjacent the upper side of said carriage frame so that said door closing arm extends downwardly therefrom toward said door lifting arm and the center of said carriage frame, cam follower means engageable with said cam track means, means operatively connecting said cam follower means to said door lifting and closing anns to pivot said arms about a horizontal axis into and/or out of engagement with said skip door to open and/or close same in response to vertical movement of said carriage, and means to vertically move said carriage along said carriage guide means.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means mounting said carriage includes spaced and parallel pairs of rails and wheels on said carriage engageable between said pairs of rails, said means to move said carriage including fluidoperated piston and cylinder means extending between said carriage and said supporting structure.

3. The device according to claim 1 which includes means on said door engageable by said carriage when said skip is in the unloading position, within limits, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of transversely situated, spaced and pju allel carnage engaging components, said components emg operatively connected together, and shock absorber means between said components and said door.

4. The device according to claim 2 which includes means on said door engageable by said carriage when said skip is in the unloading position, within limits, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of transversely situated, spaced and parallel carriage engaging components, said components being operatively connected together, and shock absorber means between said components and said door.

5. The device according to claim 1 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.

6. The device according to claim 2 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.

7. The device according to claim 3 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.

8. The device according to claim 4 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, and single engager nesting between said pair of engagers. 

1. A skip with a door, said skip being vertically movable between loading and unloading positions; means located adjacent an unloading position for opening and closing said door of said skip, said means comprising a supporting framework, vertically disposed carriage guide means and cam track means mounted on said supporting framework; a carriage comprising a substantially vertical rectangular frame, means mounTing said carriage for vertical reciprocal movement on said carriage guide means in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said skip, means on said carriage selectively engageable and disengageable with said skip door when said skip is stationary and located at an unloading position to open and close said skip door, said last-named means including a spring-biased door lifting arm, means pivotally mounting one end of said door-lifting arm adjacent the lower side of the carriage frame so that said door lifting arm extends upwardly toward the center of said carriage frame, a spring-biased door closing arm, means pivotally mounting one end of said door closing arm adjacent the upper side of said carriage frame so that said door closing arm extends downwardly therefrom toward said door lifting arm and the center of said carriage frame, cam follower means engageable with said cam track means, means operatively connecting said cam follower means to said door lifting and closing arms to pivot said arms about a horizontal axis into and/or out of engagement with said skip door to open and/or close same in response to vertical movement of said carriage, and means to vertically move said carriage along said carriage guide means.
 2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means mounting said carriage includes spaced and parallel pairs of rails and wheels on said carriage engageable between said pairs of rails, said means to move said carriage including fluid-operated piston and cylinder means extending between said carriage and said supporting structure.
 3. The device according to claim 1 which includes means on said door engageable by said carriage when said skip is in the unloading position, within limits, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of transversely situated, spaced and parallel carriage engaging components, said components being operatively connected together, and shock absorber means between said components and said door.
 4. The device according to claim 2 which includes means on said door engageable by said carriage when said skip is in the unloading position, within limits, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of transversely situated, spaced and parallel carriage engaging components, said components being operatively connected together, and shock absorber means between said components and said door.
 5. The device according to claim 1 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.
 6. The device according to claim 2 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.
 7. The device according to claim 3 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, said single engager nesting between said pair of engagers.
 8. The device according to claim 4 in which one of said arms includes a pair of spaced and parallel U-shaped engagers on the other end thereof, the other of said arms including a single U-shaped engager on the other end thereof, and single engager nesting between said pair of engagers. 